Posted by Chairman_MAO on March 7, 2006, at 11:48:35
In reply to Re: I Like and Believe In This Med For Whatever Co » Chairman_MAO, posted by TylerJ on March 5, 2006, at 22:53:41
I have never used the original formulation, so I cannot offer an opinion. :(
My "gut feeling" as well as logical reasoning point to the same conclusion: that the "New Nardil" is probably slightly less potent than the "Old Nardil".
This is, however, NOT due to the tablet excipients or whatever else most of the conspiracy-theory proponents argue, but simply because the "New" version is a "branded generic" (a more prototypical example of an oxymoron is difficult to imagine). The "old" version was manufactured to "A" standards which call for no more than a 10% variation from the stated amount of active drug per tablet. The "new" version is manufactured to "AB" standards, which allow up to a 20% variation in dosage. Thus, someone who was taking 90mg +/- 9mg of the old is now taking 90mg +/- 18mg of the new. As the margin of error is now in excess of one tablet, the new formulation may be weaker for some individuals, especially those taking high dosages.The old version was NOT enterically coated, nor did it contain a different active ingredient. I am not a pharmacist, but I do not see how any of the excipients in either of the formulations could have enhanced bioavailability or changed the pharmacokinetics all that much. The reason the sulfate salt is used instead of phenelzine base is because the stomach is a polar environment, and the salt is non-polar. That way, most of the dose will make it beyond the stomach--whether it is in the old formulation, new formulation, a capsule, liquid, peanut butter sandwich, jello mold, etc.
I have yet to hear any arguments in favor of the "new" Nardil being radically different that make anything resembling a modicum of sense to me. If someone could offer me what they claim is a sound rationale for a radical difference in efficacy, I would hear it with an open mind and ears.
The maintainer of www.socialfear.com agrees with me, FWIW. The "new" Nardil for me has worked so well that I cannot imagine what a dramatically better effect would be.
poster:Chairman_MAO
thread:614817
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060304/msgs/617017.html